The curtain fell on the 2015/16 season in style on two fronts - with an entertaining Nedbank Cup final between SuperSport United and Orlando Pirates, and Mamelodi Sundowns cleaning up at the PSL awards after their record-breaking campaign. Njabulo Ngidi picks his team of the season.
Moeneeb Josephs
Dennis Onyango might have been crowned Goalkeeper of the Season, but Josephs had a remarkable campaign, notching up 14 clean sheets in 29 matches - the most by any goalkeeper this season. His experience was the foundation of Bidvest Wits’ campaign as they challenged Mamelodi Sundowns for league honours before losing steam towards the end.
Vuyo Mere
The 32-year-old took us on a stroll down memory lane, showing how he got here, when he led Platinum Stars to finish third and book a place in next year’s CAF Confederation Cup. His speed on the right flank made a mockery of his age, with Mere coming up with teasing crosses to feed the lanky Eleazar Rodgers and Ndumiso Mabena up front.
Thabo Nthethe (captain)
Mr Cool is calm personified. It’s that demeanour that brought a sense of stability to the Brazilians’ defence. Nthethe might have lost his speed over the years, but he makes up for this with his reading of the game and intelligence. He brings a calming effect that helps everyone around him keep their cool, even in stormy situations.
Thulani Hlatshwayo
As far as nicknames go, ‘Tyson’ fits Hlatshwayo like a glove - the tough-as-nails defender doesn;t back down from a fight. It’s that nature that makes him one of the toughest opponents to beat in the league. In his time at Wits he has also matured as a leader, reducing his tendency for reckless outbursts.
Tebogo Langerman
Langerman is one of those players TV doesn’t do justice to in showing the work he does. If you see him only on TV, he looks ordinary, without much to set him apart from other left-backs. But when you see him live, you see how his intelligence, timing and ability to beat and create space set him apart.
Hlompho Kekana
The Brazilians owe a lot to Kekana in their march to win the league. He played with practically every midfielder at Sundowns in central midfield after Bongani Zungu’s injury, even makeshifts in that department, but still he helped the club keep their shape, protected the back four who were in transition, started numerous counter-attacks, and pitched in with brilliant goals.
ThamsanqaSangweni
Sangweni has matured under coach Dan Malesela at Chippa United because of the freedom he is allowed, turning him into the heartbeat of the Chilli Boys. He is just as good defensively as he is in attack, with pinpoint passes able to find their target even in the most awkward of angles.
Khama Billiat
There wasn’t much dispute when Billiat was crowned King of South African football, winning every PSL award for which he was nominated. Billiat added the brilliance to the Sundowns’ CBD, which included Leonardo Castro and Keagan Dolly and terrorised defenders across the country. His flexibility in being able to play on either flank and even as a centre-forward made him a lethal player,and he came up with assists if he wasn’ t scoring.
Keagan Dolly
The move to Sundowns helped change Dolly’s attitude. He went from Ajax Cape Town, where his place was guaranteed, to a club where, competing against quality players, even a great performance might not be enough to cement a place. That pushed the national under-23 captain to have one of his best seasons since turning professional, helping the national team qualify for Rio and win the league with the Brazilians.
Jeremy Brockie
Stuart Baxter’s arrival has seen a different Brockie playing as a No 10 behind the centre-forward. His work rate and a good engine help him thrive in that position, while giving him enough space not only to score but to create more goals for his teammates - something he didn’t do much before.
Leonardo Castro
Castro’s body language betrays the deadly attacker he is. He looks lazy, but when he starts accelerating, he leaves defenders for dead. His greatest weapon is his brain, which helps him to be in the right place at the right time. His finishing is also on another level, with a brilliant technique that’s more placement than power.
Bench: Dennis Onyango, Diamond Thopola, Nazeer Allie, Daine Klate, Phumlani Ntshangase, Ndumiso Mabena and Prince Nxumalo
Coach: Pitso Mosimane
Assistant coach: Dan Malesela - Saturday Star